I-day message

Moving forward! I realise that we live in an age where there’s a lot of ‘Optimism’ particularly as a dominant force, about India, not just within the confines of The World’s biggest ‘Democracy’, but even in the Western world. I also realise that there’s copious amounts of negative energy among the commoners in this great nation, with the way this Democracy is being mutilated by the Political community. The system has been so perverted by those in power that even the Supreme Court, our last symbol of truism, had to state that, “Even God cannot save this country!” Sixty one years of pretence-Independence and yet I have this undiluted feeling that we actually are moving forward. Right from Raj Thackeray’s Marathi Manoos antics to BJP’s, almost fascist-hindutva agenda to Congress’ alleged immorality, the nation is stricken with non-secular, immoral, regionists. When these men and women masquerade as beacons of hope come election time, there’s an obvious helplessness that people suffer in choosing their representatives. I think the word ‘Representative’ in itself over the years has become a misnomer.

The Indian Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for example are the biggest shams in this nation. Neither, providing even basic facilities to our many thousands and potentially millions of sportspersons. When KPS Gill was finally ousted and the Indian Hockey Federation disbanded, by the IOC President Suresh Kalmadi, it was hailed as a great step to rejuvenating our National sport. But, as Gill departed, what was forgotten was that Suresh Kalmadi, at the helm of the Olympic Committee for almost an eternity, has done no more than what Gill has in hockey. Both have lacked true commitment and almost seem uninterested in the way sports is developed in India, or in their case, are very committed to keep sports underdeveloped. The biggest positive among millions of negatives is how India is slowly but steadily turning into a Corporate giant. Involvement by the Industry in various social initiatives like rural development and recent foundations funded by LN Mittal and other such to assure medals at the Olympics, is a sign that the rich are willing to force some changes, for the good. But the undeniable truth is that unless our politicians pull up their socks and make swift structural and moral changes, we will become that high school cricketer who had so much promise but would never make it big. I do believe that poverty and corruption are not a Politician’s creation but facets of Human nature. You and I, we are all corrupt and immoral in our own limited sense. We all have our prejudices and hypocrisies. We all take advantage of those who are less fortunate and blow horns over other mistreatments. But, we also have other emotions like passion, commitment, patriotism, empathy and self-belief. What we need to promise is that we will wage wars daily, to evoke these emotions rather than their evil-cousins, which have plagued us for so long. In spite of all our failings as a country, I cannot help but feel optimistic, that one day we will prevail over all that is noxious. We will survive in harmony and equality in justice, freedom and economy. We will someday truly deserve to be called INDIANS…

Jai Hind!!!!!!

Anthony Palathingal